Reading the Props: Proposition 18 has triggered me.
Every two years, I read the full text of all statewide ballot propositions—because at least one Californian should. Next is Prop 18. The measure itself makes sense. It is another of the constitutional amendments that the legislature has put on this November’s ballot. It amends the second section of Article II of the state […]
Ramifications of California Governor Newsom’s ban on gas-powered vehicles
Before sky diving, you need to plan ahead by having a parachute before you jump. California Governor Newsom’s recent suicidal jump onto the EV train has a minimum of eight (8) lack-of-a-plan ramifications from his recent Executive order to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035 that will be devastating to the state’s economy […]
The very high cost of Project Homekey
Project Homekey, the successor program to the Project Roomkey hotel-homeless-housing effort, is going to cost taxpayers a lot of money, and according to state law, there’s not a thing you can do about it. The state law is Assembly Bill 83. Signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom on June 30, AB83 was first introduced as a […]
Donors Play Prominent Role in LA DA Debate
After a summer of protests aimed at police and justice reform, the voters will finally get a chance to register their feelings on those issues in the high-profile Los Angeles District Attorney race. Squaring off in a debate this weekend the two candidates carrying the banners for more liberal reforms versus traditional reforms prominently dueled […]
Add California’s Fires to Other Crises
The nation is rightly obsessed with the unfolding events surrounding the news that the president of the United States has contracted the deadly coronavirus. We must all wish him well and hope for his recovery. If Donald Trump’s condition deteriorates precipitously even after hospitalization and the best medical attention available to any human on the […]
A Californian’s Plan for a National Referendum
California has a solution for America’s putrid populism and political paralysis: adopting direct democracy at the national level. Allowing Americans to vote, by referendum, on the biggest issues wouldn’t be legally challenging or risky. All Congress would have to do is follow six practical steps suggested by a Californian named John Matsusaka. As co-president of […]
Give Homeless Money, Not a Unit
It’s outrageous that the average cost to build a city-subsidized apartment for the homeless in Los Angeles has climbed to $559,000 with highest per-unit cost now at $746,000. I just looked at a listing for a two-bedroom condo in Malibu for $659,000. But those are the costs that Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin disclosed […]
Will Bail Bondsmen Go the Way of the Blacksmith?
The bail bond business is trying to avoid demise by overturning a state law to eliminate money bail with a referendum, Proposition 25. Voters will have to decide if what replaces the money bail system is effective and keeps communities safe from crime. First, a little background. In 2018, the California Legislature passed SB 10 […]
Pressure DiFi to Quit—And Then Appoint 2 ‘War’ Senators
As the national government enters a period of total political war, California needs two senators who will fight the feds full-time. Now we have zero such senators. Kamala Harris has been pursuing her own national political career—perhaps all the way to the vice presidency. And Dianne Feinstein seems not just old but out of touch, […]